“ And on behalf of the fans, I would like to say: welcome back Ja. » These words of welcome are from Derrick Rose and to his teammate, Ja Morant. The latter, after serving his 25-match suspension, made his return last night in front of the FedExForum audience.
A victorious return, based on a great defensive performance against the best attack in the league, the Pacers. But also a “joyful” return. “ Let's start having fun again “, released the Grizzlies leader, 20 points and 8 assists that night, to his teammates, after soaking up the adulation of the local public. In the presence, as a sure sign, of several figures from the local rap scene (Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla, Key Glock, etc.)
“ The hardest part was not being able to be on the field and not being able to have fun with my guys, but now that I'm on the field, I'm making sure that we all have fun, no matter what. arrived », insists the double All-Star after the meeting.
Fans enjoy
He adds : ” This is the message I wanted to convey. The energy of the team is proof of this. We catch a lobbed pass, we have the bench going crazy, players shouting, screaming, hitting each other. That’s our type of basketball. It's our way of being. This is the team we are, the people we are. »
A collective enthusiasm which contrasts with the very bad start to the season for the Grizzlies who, in addition to being deprived of their star, saw their infirmary filled with important players. Result: over the first 25 games, the Memphis franchise had only won six times.
But since the return of Ja Morant, notably celebrated by a parade organized by the fans before the match against the Pacers, the team has won two games in a row, erasing a series of five losses in a row. On and off the field, the atmosphere has completely changed in Tennessee.
One of the worst results at home
“ It was great to feel that. We've had several home games that haven't been like that this season. It's obvious that Ja's return is very exciting for everyone », Judge Desmond Bane, top scorer of the match (31 points), whose team was only playing its fourth sold-out match of the season.
Without Ja Morant, the Grizzlies had a sad home record of one win for eleven losses, one of the worst records with that of the Pistons. “ There was atmosphere. The edge of the field was in turmoil », Also appreciates Jaren Jackson Jr.
With a record of 8 wins for 19 losses, the Grizzlies still have a long way to go before they hope to join the race for the playoffs, and try to save their season.
However, Ja Morant makes it a priority to appreciate each step in this attempt to come back. So much so that he briefly “kicked” Taylor Jenkins out of the locker room after the win for his lack of enthusiasm: “ He entered only clapping. You have to go home shouting after a victory! »
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 67 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 63 | 33 | 44.9 | 30.3 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 57 | 33 | 49.3 | 34.4 | 76.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 61 | 32 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | SAME | 1 | 35 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 83.3 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 34.0 |
| Total | 249 | 32 | 47.2 | 31.9 | 75.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
